U.S. patent number 6,569,042 [Application Number 09/759,882] was granted by the patent office on 2003-05-27 for sports swing development device.
Invention is credited to Edward M. Collins, James L. LaChance.
United States Patent |
6,569,042 |
LaChance , et al. |
May 27, 2003 |
Sports swing development device
Abstract
A practice batting device having an elongated gripping portion
and an elongated weighted portion interconnected with a spring. A
swing speed indicator is positioned within the elongated weighted
portion to determine the swing speed of the device. Removable
plates permit a selected practice weight, thereby targeting
strength training for eliminating recoil effects and snapping the
user's wrists to simulate the impact of the bat striking an
imaginary ball.
Inventors: |
LaChance; James L. (Belleville,
MI), Collins; Edward M. (Taylor, MI) |
Family
ID: |
25057307 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/759,882 |
Filed: |
January 16, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/457; 473/453;
473/564; 473/519 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
60/46 (20151001); A63B 69/0002 (20130101); A63B
15/00 (20130101); A63B 60/02 (20151001); A63B
59/50 (20151001); A63B 60/0081 (20200801); A63B
2220/30 (20130101); A63B 71/0622 (20130101); A63B
2069/0008 (20130101); A63B 2102/18 (20151001); A63B
60/28 (20151001) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
15/00 (20060101); A63B 69/00 (20060101); A63B
59/06 (20060101); A63B 59/00 (20060101); A63B
069/00 (); A63B 059/00 (); A63B 059/18 (); A63B
059/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;473/219,221,222,223,226,233,256,234,415,422,451,453,463,457,519,559,564-568
;482/109,909 ;73/492,493 ;446/418,421 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Sewell; Paul T.
Assistant Examiner: Aryanpour; Mitra
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Chandler; Charles W.
Claims
Having described our invention, we claim:
1. A practice bat, comprising: an elongated gripping portion having
a first end and a second end; an elongated weighted portion having
a first end and a second end; a coil spring having a first end and
a second end, said first end of said spring being disposed within
said first end of said elongated gripping portion; said second end
of said spring being disposed within said second end of said
elongated weighted portion; a first elongated pin extending through
said elongated gripping portion at right angles to the length of
the elongated gripping portion into said first end of said spring
to connect the spring to the elongated gripping portion; a second
elongated pin extending through said elongated weighted portion at
right angles to the length of the elongated weighted portion into
said second end of said spring to connect the spring to the
elongated weighted portion; a plurality of removable weighted
plates which are substantially flat, circular-shaped discs having a
substantially circular centrally-positioned hole; and means for
mounting a selected number of the removable weighted plates within
the first end of the elongated weighted portion, wherein the means
for mounting includes an end-cap removably secured to said first
end of said elongated weighted portion wherein said end-cap has a
threaded inner-surface such that said selected number of weighted
plates are removably carried within said elongated weighted
portion, and a threaded member axially positioned within said first
end of said elongated weighted portion, whereby said selected
number of weighted plates are removably positioned around said
threaded member and retained thereby, and whereby said end-cap is
secured to said threaded member enclosing said plurality of
removable weights within said first end of the elongated weighted
portion, and further wherein the elongated weighted portion of the
bat can swing with respect to the elongated gripping portion as the
bat is being swung in a practice batting motion so as to snap a
user's wrists.
2. The practice bat of claim 1, wherein said second end of said
elongated gripping portion defines a handle.
3. The practice bat of claim 1, wherein said elongated gripping
portion carries a grip-enhancing surface.
4. The practice bat of claim 1, wherein the circumference of said
elongated gripping portion is maximized adjacent to said first end
of the elongated gripping portion, and wherein said circumference
is gradually decreased progressing toward said second end of the
elongated gripping portion to a handle.
5. The practice bat of claim 1, further comprising a removable
cylinder, said cylinder carried by said first end of said second
elongated portion.
6. The practice bat of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of
elongated fasteners radially extending through said first end of
said elongated weighted portion securing positioning of said
threaded member therein.
7. The practice bat of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of
elongated fasteners radially extending through said first end of
said elongated gripping portion, wherein said elongated fasteners
secure the position of said spring therein.
8. The practice bat of claim 1, further comprising a readable swing
speed gauge within the elongated weighted portion.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to sports swing development
devices and more specifically, to a practice batting device capable
of indicating swing speed and simulating the counter force and
motion of an object at contact. The present invention is
particularly useful in, although not strictly limited to, batting
applications targeting strength training and an accurate indication
thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The ability to drive a ball a long distance is the basis for
success in a variety of sports. As the dynamics of sports equipment
have improved, so has player performance. Records continue to be
broken in baseball, softball, golf and other sports wherein new
bats, clubs and mallets enable superior swing-play execution.
Whether working to fully realize the dynamic benefits of a
technologically advanced golf club or trying to maximize the
performance of a simple wooden bat, players strive to develop and
perfect their swing. To assist in this development, swing
simulating practice devices are utilized. The simplest of these
involves adding weights to a practice device, such as a bat, to
enhance warm-up motion and to build strength.
Other practice devices are designed to assist a player in breaking
his or her wrists to develop a snap to the stroke at impact
resulting in maximized acceleration. One such device is described
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,399,996 to Boyce wherein the handle and the head
of a practice bat are connected with a spring. In use, a player
positions one hand below the spring on the handle, and the other
hand above the spring on the head of the bat. The device teaches a
tactile sensation when swung by a batter, wherein the upper hand
overruns the lower hand, imparting a leverage and acceleration to
the impact portion of the bat. While this device may assist a
batter in breaking his wrists, it does not effectively simulate the
counter force and motion of the ball at contact. Furthermore, it
does not provide a means of directly validating swing improvement.
Thus, in light of the present invention, the practice bat of Boyce
is disadvantageous.
An alternative practice device, described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,014,984 to Brockhoff, utilizes gripping points to assist a batter
with proper wrist rotation. This device is specifically designed to
address the batter wrist rotation element of a swing, not to
improve the batter's strength and swing speed. As such, the
Brockhoff device is disadvantageous.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,555,111 to Alvarez describes a practice bat having
a weighted end portion interconnected by a resilient spring. The
device is directed to warm up a batter, and to aid a player in
breaking his or her wrists to achieve a maximum stroke. Alvarez
teaches that during the practice swing, momentum will cause the
weighted end portion of the device to pivot or flex backward, and
then forward thereby influencing the movement of the batter's hands
and arms causing the wrists to break ahead of the bat. Thus, like
the Boyce practice bat, the Alvarez bat may assist a batter in
breaking his wrist, but does not target improvement of batter
strength or swing speed.
Furthermore, while Alvarez provides weighted end portions of
different weights or sizes dependant upon the size and strength of
the person using the practice bat, it does not allow for graduated
weight adjustment during training. Even if the weighted end
portions of Alvarez were adequate, the bat provides no method for
tracking or improving swing performance. Thus, in view of the
present invention, the Alvarez bat is disadvantageous.
Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for a weight
adjustable swing development practice bat wherein swing speed is
indicated and the negative weight and motion of an object at
contact is simulated thereby improving batter strength and swing
speed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages,
and meets the recognized need for such a practice bat, by providing
an adjustable weight batting device capable of indicating swing
speed and simulating the negative weight and motion of an object at
contact thereby targeting strength training for elimination of
recoil effects.
According to its major aspects, the present invention is a bat
having two flexibly-linked elongated portions, a readable speed
gauge and removable weighted plates. More specifically, the present
invention is a bat wherein an elongated gripping portion and an
elongated weighted portion are interconnected with a spring. A
speed gauge is positioned within the weighted portion to determine
the swing speed of the device and to provide a visual readout.
Removable weight plates are positioned at the proximate end of the
weighted portion. Each plate is centrally secured to a threaded
shaft.
A feature and advantage of the present invention is the ability of
such a practice bat to indicate swing speed thereby validating
improvements. A speed gage can be either built in the bat or added
on the bat.
A feature and advantage of the present invention is the ability of
such a device to simulate the counter force and motion of a moving
ball at contact.
A feature and advantage of the present invention is the ability of
such a practice bat to target strength training for eliminating
recoil effects.
A feature and advantage of the present invention is the ability of
such a practice bat to cause the batter's wrists to snap,
simulating the impact of the bat on an imaginary ball.
A feature and advantage of the present invention is the ability of
such a practice device to improve swing speed.
A feature and advantage of the present invention is the ability of
such a device to assist in assessing appropriate bat weight for
maximized speed and impact energy by combining a swing speed
indicator and adjustable bat weight.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention
will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the
following description and claims when read in light of the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be better understood by reading the
Detailed Description of the Preferred and Alternative Embodiments
with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like
reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like
elements throughout, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a practice bat according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the practice bat of
FIG. 1 showing an internal arrangement of adjustable weights.
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the practice bat of
FIG. 1 showing an internal spring anchoring structure.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a practice bat of FIG. 1 shown in
use for strength building.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the practice bat of FIG. 1 shown in
use for studying and increasing bat speed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ALTERNATIVE
EMBODIMENTS
In describing the preferred and alternative embodiments of the
present invention, as illustrated in the figures, specific
terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention,
however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology
so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element
includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner
to accomplish similar functions.
Referring now to FIG. 1, the present invention is a practice bat 10
comprising elongated gripping portion 20 and elongated weighted
portion 40 connected by spring 100. Elongated gripping portion 20
and elongated weighted portion 40 have proximal ends 22 and 42,
respectively, and distal ends 24 and 44, respectively. Spring 100
is positioned between proximal ends 22 and 42.
Elongated gripping portion 20 is substantially
cylindrically-shaped. The circumference of elongated gripping
portion 20 is greatest at proximal end 22 and decreases gradually
to gripping region 26 where the circumference is substantially
constant. Base portion 28 is preferably positioned on distal end 24
adjacent gripping region 26. Base portion 28 has a substantially
flat, bottom surface 28a. Surrounding surface 28b extends therefrom
to a flat, annular inner surface 28c attached to gripping region
26. Outer surface 26a of gripping region 26 is substantially
covered with a grip-enhancement material 26b such as, for exemplary
purposes only, rubberized gripping mesh, sports grip tape or any
other known gripping material.
Elongated weighted portion 40 is substantially
cylindrically-shaped. Removable cap 46 is rubberized and is
positioned on distal end 44. Cap 46 has a flat top surface 46a, and
a curved surrounding surface 46b extending to a removable cylinder
48. Cylinder 48 is positioned on distal end 44 secured by cap
46.
Referring to FIG. 2, inner surface 46c of cap 46 is threaded to
receive and secure a threaded male member 70. Preferably, male
member 70 is positioned axially within distal end 44 secured to cap
46. Fastening members 70a are radially positioned within elongated
weighted portion 40 adjacent distal end 44, to secure male member
70.
A plurality of weighted plates 72 are removably positioned within
cylinder 48 adjacent distal end 44. Plates 72 are substantially
flat, circular-shaped discs 74 having a threaded central opening
74a, whereby plates 72 are removably secured to male member 70.
Preferably, readable speed gauge 80 is positioned within elongated
weighted portion 40 with readable surface 82 wherein the swing
speed of device 10 is measured and indicated. Gauge 80 is known in
the art and is preferably mechanical. One skilled in the art would
readily recognize that, while a mechanical speed gauge is
preferred, an electronic or computerized speed gauge could be
utilized to perform substantially the same function without
substantially affecting the inventive concept of the present
invention.
Referring to FIG. 3, coil spring 100 has first end 102, second end
104 and center portion 105. First end 102 is axially positioned
within proximal end 22 of elongated portion 20. Second end 104 is
axially positioned within proximal end 42 of elongated portion 40.
Center portion 105 is positioned between elongated gripping portion
20 and elongated weighted portion 40, permitting elongated weighted
portion 40 to pivot relative to elongated gripping portion 20.
Fastening member 106 is positioned within elongated portion 20
adjacent proximal end 22, passing through and securing end 102 of
spring 100 to end 22. Fastening member 108 is preferably positioned
within elongated portion 40 adjacent proximal end 42, passing
through and securing second end 104 of spring 100 to proximal end
42.
In an alternative embodiment, practice bat 10 could be a golf club
instead of a bat.
In yet another embodiment, outer surface 26a of gripping region 26
could be formed with a grip-enhancing texture.
In still another embodiment, bat 10 could be formed without
removable weighted plates.
In yet still another embodiment, practice bat 10 could be formed
without readable speed gauge 80.
Speed gauge 80 could be computerized for recording and analyzing
swing speed measurements.
In use, cylinder 48 is removed from elongated weighted portion 40
of practice bat 10 and a selected number of weighted plates 72 are
secured to male member 70 with cap 46. The number of weighted
plates 72 determines the swinging weight of bat 10.
As best seen in FIG. 4, to build wrist strength, a player places
his hands around gripping portion 26 and swings the bat
approximately one-half of a full swing. Elongated weighted portion
40 initially lags behind elongated gripping portion 20, and then
swings forwardly to simulate the impact of an imaginary ball
striking elongated gripping portion 20, causing the batter's wrists
to snap. An increase in wrist strength is developed to accommodate
the initial contact of a ball during actual play.
As best seen in FIG. 5, to study swing speed, a player grips
gripping portion 26 and swings practice bat 10 in a full swing. By
reading speed gauge 80, the player determines the swing speed
attained for the chosen practice weight. Preferably, a minimal
weight is utilized for the initial practice swing. Swing speed is
verified and an additional weighted plate 72 is added. The player
swings again with the increased weight and again checks his or her
attained swing speed, repeating the process until there is a drop
off in the swing speed. When maximum performance is achieved and
verified, the player is able to ensure that the proper weight bat
is purchased and utilized for maximum performance in actual
play.
Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that
these disclosures are exemplary only, and that various
alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the
scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention
is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but
is limited only by the following claims.
* * * * *